Well-Known Actress Breaks Ties With Scientology

King of Queens actress thanks supporters following schism

“King of Queens” star Leah Remini expressed appreciation for fans’ support after the revelation that she is leaving the Church of Scientology, the AP reports.

According to the New York Post, Remini’s decision to leave the church came in response church policies that allegedly prohibit members from questioning controversial practices or maintaining ties to skeptical family members.

The Post also cites Mike Rinder, an anti-Scientology blogger and former church member, who wrote on his website that Remini fell out of favor with the church’s leadership after inquiring into the whereabouts of Scientology head David Miscavige’s wife Shelly. According to Business Insider, Shelly Miscavige hasn’t been seen in public since 2006. An anonymous source familiar with Remini’s situation told the Post that the actress was subjected to “thought modification’ for five years” as a result of her line of questioning.

A representative of the Church of Scientology commented in the Hollywood Reporter, “The Church respects the privacy of parishioners and has no comment about any individual Church member.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Remini joined the church of Scientology as a teenager. Her mother was a member, as is her current husband Angelo Pagan with whom she has one daughter.

She publically addressed her religion at least once in the past when she explained she wouldn’t discuss her beliefs on air after joining The Talk on CBS (CBS). “I love to make people laugh, entertain them,” she said at the time. “[Scientology] is something that is not even part of my discussion.”